VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 44
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus
To: The Senate of the City of Rome
Date: ~507-511 AD
Context: A public announcement to the Senate about Artemidorus's appointment as urban prefect, with an explicit warning that sedition will be met with the full force of royal authority.
[1] You can see from the very care we take how deep our love for you runs, since we appear so concerned for your welfare that we will not let any point of guidance be omitted. Vigilance reveals affection, and what we cherish most devotedly we guard with the greatest care. [2] This is why we have granted the illustrious Artemidorus, long trained in our service, the governance of the urban prefecture -- so that, because the civility of the city was being disrupted by the unlawful seditions of certain persons, the innocent might have a most honest witness and the erring might find a most just avenger. We, who delight in protecting the guiltless, have thought it right to bring this to everyone's notice, lest anyone, surprised by sudden severity, presume to transgress as usual. [3] Know, then, that we have delegated such powers to the aforementioned man that if anyone acts in defiance of civic order, he shall immediately face the full force of our decree. And although the laws have already granted this power to the urban prefecture, we have specifically delegated it so that it may be exercised with all the more confidence, backed by a double authority. [4] He will therefore dare to strike down the seditious and those who deviate from public discipline, under our authority. Let the feverish passion of the quarrelsome be stilled. Why should the blessings of peace, which by God's grace you have earned through our labor, be defiled by unlawful uprisings? Morals have never been in greater danger than when Roman dignity is called into question. Let this honorable city therefore restore its self-control. It is a disgrace to have fallen below the standards of one's ancestors, especially at a time when you know you have such a ruler -- one who bestows rewards on those who deserve them and punishment on those who disturb the peace.
XLIIII. SENATUI URBIS ROMAE THEODERICUS REX.
[1] Caritatem vestri praecipuam nos habere ex ipsa cura potestis agnoscere, pro quibus ita videmur esse solliciti, ut nihil ammonitionis patiamur omitti. cautela siquidem prodit affectum et quae studiosius diligimus, maiori gratia custodimus. [2] Hinc est quod viro illustri Artemidoro, diu nostris obsequiis erudito, praefecturae urbanae dedimus fasces regendos, ut, quia quorundam illicitis seditionibus civilitas turbabatur, haberent et innoxii purissimum testem et errantes iustissimum paterentur ultorem. quod nos, qui delectamur insontibus, in cunctorum notitiam duximus perferendum, ne quis inopinata districtione solite praesumat excedere. [3] Quocirca talia nos praefato viro delegasse noveritis, ut, si quispiam incivilis extiterit, districtionem ilico nostrae iussionis incurrat. et quamquam praefecturae urbanae hanc potestatem dederint leges, nos tamen specialiter delegavimus, ut confidentius fieret, quod duplex permisisset auctoritas. [4] Audebit ergo seditiosos et a disciplina publica deviantes nostra auctoritate percellere. quiescat concertantium fervor animorum. bona pacis, quae deo propitio nostro labore meruistis, cur seditionibus foedantur illicitis? numquam maiori damno periclitati sunt mores, quam cum gravitas Romana culpatur. reparet itaque honesta civitas moderationem suam. pudor est degenerasse prioribus, eo praesertim tempore, cum talem principem cognoscitis vos habere, qui praemia bene meritis, ultionem tribuat inquietis.
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VARIAE, BOOK 1, LETTER 44
From: King Theoderic, writing through Cassiodorus To: The Senate of the City of Rome Date: ~507-511 AD Context: A public announcement to the Senate about Artemidorus's appointment as urban prefect, with an explicit warning that sedition will be met with the full force of royal authority.
[1] You can see from the very care we take how deep our love for you runs, since we appear so concerned for your welfare that we will not let any point of guidance be omitted. Vigilance reveals affection, and what we cherish most devotedly we guard with the greatest care. [2] This is why we have granted the illustrious Artemidorus, long trained in our service, the governance of the urban prefecture -- so that, because the civility of the city was being disrupted by the unlawful seditions of certain persons, the innocent might have a most honest witness and the erring might find a most just avenger. We, who delight in protecting the guiltless, have thought it right to bring this to everyone's notice, lest anyone, surprised by sudden severity, presume to transgress as usual. [3] Know, then, that we have delegated such powers to the aforementioned man that if anyone acts in defiance of civic order, he shall immediately face the full force of our decree. And although the laws have already granted this power to the urban prefecture, we have specifically delegated it so that it may be exercised with all the more confidence, backed by a double authority. [4] He will therefore dare to strike down the seditious and those who deviate from public discipline, under our authority. Let the feverish passion of the quarrelsome be stilled. Why should the blessings of peace, which by God's grace you have earned through our labor, be defiled by unlawful uprisings? Morals have never been in greater danger than when Roman dignity is called into question. Let this honorable city therefore restore its self-control. It is a disgrace to have fallen below the standards of one's ancestors, especially at a time when you know you have such a ruler -- one who bestows rewards on those who deserve them and punishment on those who disturb the peace.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.